Gayle Katz [Katz - Jane Zombie Chronicles Box Set Books 1-3: Closed Campus, Rotting Rage, Yesterday Yields (Jane Zombie Box Set)

Gayle Katz

In Your Face Publishers

Blue Bell, PA

Copyright 2019 Gayle Katz

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission from the author. For permissions contact:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living, dead, or undead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Visit the authors website at GayleKatz.com

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10:10 a.m.

I stare out of the window of my third-floor classroom watching the snowfall. Snow has a well-deserved bad reputation here in upstate New York.

My professor is running late. I look at my watch. 10:10 a.m. Class was supposed to start at 10:00 a.m.

Where is he? I wonder as I twirl my longish brown hair around my fingers.

How rude of me. I didnt introduce myself. My name is Jane. At the time of this story, I am in my second semester of college away from home, and the introvert in me is coming out again. Going away to college wasnt my first choice after high school. I really want to stay close to home, continue working at my marketing internship, and save money. Instead, my parents pushed me to go away so I could experience life out from under their safe and secure wing.

Now Im in a classroom with a bunch of crazy teenagers in a strange town. Sitting in this old brick building in a cold, sterile science classroom with those artificial, yellowish florescent lights shining down makes me want to go back to sleep. I mean, chemistry at 10:00 a.m. is just painful. Add the energy-draining lights and the beige classroom walls devoid of warmth and natural light, and what strength I have vanishes.

Looking around the room, everything is clean and pristine. Every microscope and Bunsen burner has its place; even the chalkboard has been completely wiped clean.

Turning my head away from the window, I look down at my hands. Not knowing what to do or what protocol to follow, I pull my phone out of my bag to listen to the local radio station to take my mind off my nerves. Not only is it a great radio station run mostly by the students, but also Id be working there tonight. Its going to be my first overnight shift. I have been practicing for weeks.

It wasnt easy, getting ready for tonight, I mean. I committed to learning how a good DJ works a radio station. I practiced turning on the microphone, making sure I had high enough sound levels to ensure listeners could hear me, but not so high that I didnt blow out anyones ears.

My training didnt stop there. One of the most important things I learned is how to transition between songs so theres no dead air. Dead air isnt just a general bummer, but also gets people to change the station fast, and that means fewer listeners.

With all this practice, I havent actually listened to the station much over the past few weeks. Thats got to change.

I put in my ear buds and make sure Im on the right station.

And those are your college hockey scores. The highlight? Lance the Great Miller pulls another slap shot out of his magic hat!

Wow! How does he keep doing it, Logan? Its pretty much insane how good that guy is, right?

Well, hes certainly keeping our team in the thick of it. Without him Im not sure wed be in play.

If I were a betting man, Id certainly risk a few dollars on him.

Just dont jinx it, Jack. We need Lance unfettered and free to mop up the ice with these guys.

Yeah, yeah. I hear ya.

You think hes goin pro after his college days are done?

Only time will tell, man. Only time will tell.

I guess I missed the news, but all things considered these guys on-air seem pretty decent.

Going on the air is no longer just something that would happen in the future. Its only a few hours away. I could feel my heart flutter with anticipation and anxiety. Just breathe, I tell myself.

Whos jumpy today? Gotta calm down. I start picking my fingers. Dont judge. Its my coping mechanism for when Im alone, uneasy, excited, terrified, whatever. OK, its a habit.

When will the professor get here? When will class start?

I realize I need another distraction.

Hm. Maybe I have time to go to the bathroom before he gets here.

Hopping out of my chair, I make a dash for the door and bolt down the hall in search of the bathroom. I run right into someone. Not just any someone, though, its that hot jock Ive seen in the hall. Ive definitely taken notice although I would never utter a word to him. Why would he want to talk to me anyway? Hes quite nice to look at, though.

Falling to the floor, all I can do is stare up at him. Everything about him seems perfect: big blue eyes, chiseled cheekbones, strong, muscular arms, big hands, bouncy dark brown hair. I dont want him to think Im staring, but I cant look away.

Mesmerized by his perfection and stunned from our chance encounter, I manage a quick, Hi.

He extends his hand to help me up.

Hi back at you. In a hurry?

Um. Yeah. My professor is running late, so I thought I could make it to the bathroom and back before he gets to class.

He looks at his watch and smiles at me. You better hurry. You dont want to be late.

I will. Sorry. Didnt mean to run into you like that.

Thats OK. I kinda liked it. Im Lance. Hes still smiling.

Mm hm. Lance? Lance from the hockey team? I think the sports guy mentioned you on the news this morning.

He probably did. Well, they normally do. Im a pretty good hockey player.

Youre pretty confident.

Yeah. I am. Its easy when youre the best hockey player in the entire school.

He has this cocky confidence thats really appealing. I smile at him and continue on to the bathroom. As Im walking forward, I turn back around to see him still looking at me and smiling. I smile too.

***

Back in class, I catch myself staring out the window again. I see the snow coming down faster and heavier now. If it snows anymore, walking to my next class isnt going to be easy.

The snow seems to be coming down faster and faster. Thats when I see a huge 4x4 pull into the professors designated parking spot. All-wheel drive vehicles are important up here. If you get stuck in the snow, you might not make it out until springtime. The snow here is that crazy.

Moments later, I can see the professor step out of his car. Even in the midst of snow and blowing winds he still manages to keep himself together. He grabs his nice leather briefcase and briskly walks to the front door. Hes quite tall and very good-looking, for a professor.

While we havent talked one-on-one yet, we have interacted in class. He asks a question. I answer it. He tells me Im correct, and he smiles a sexy smile at me. I smile a nervous little one back at him.